Wouldn't say 'such a stupid thing' that victim 'somehow responsible' for rape: PM Imran

• Published date: 29 July 2021
• Publication title: Regional Times

After being heavily criticised for his comments on rape, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that he would 'never say such a stupid thing' where a rape victim is 'somehow responsible' for the crime committed against them.

In an interview with PBS News Hour, PM Imran Khan was asked about his comments indicating that a person who is raped is somehow responsible for the crime.

'Anyone who commits rape, solely and solely that person is responsible. So let's be clear about that. No matter how provocative the woman is or whatever she wears, the person who commits rape is fully responsible. Never is the victim responsible,' said PM Khan as soon as he was asked the question.

The premier told Judy Woodruff, the interviewer, that his comments were 'deliberately' taken 'completely' out of context.

'They were simply talking about Pakistan society where we are having a sharp rise in sex crimes,' explained the premier. He also said sex crimes do not only include women.

'More than rape, there are child abuse [cases] which are going through the roof, so my comments were in that context,' said PM Khan.

The premier stated that he used the word "pardah", adding that the word does not just mean clothes or is restricted to women only. He said that "pardah" is also for men and means to 'bring down temptation in a society'.

'And I have to say because I know all the interviews I have given. Never would I say such a stupid thing where a person who is raped...